This weekend TCS A travelled to Collumpton to face low ranked side ECV Hornets C in a midday battle in South East Division 3. TCS were looking to put the pressure on East Devon C who were sitting second in the table at the start of the day. Some more changes to the side this week saw a debut appearance from Dan Green, a recall for 'Long named' Jack, a demotion from the firsts for Pete Wintrip, a reappearance of Steve 'Psycho' Grenfell and in a stark change of position a call to pad up and take root in goal for 'angry' Dan Adams. The noted absentees were Mike 'thumbprint' Whitman who was entertaining his ball and chain (ish) in the big smoke; Ju... 'Adrian' Brown who somehow managed a call up to the first team - in goal; and Jason 'womaniser' Harris who took his rightful place back in the first team fold.

The pre-match talk centred on the recent progression in form of ECV and how they will be a tough team to beat and the first twenty minutes proved true to expectation. ECV were extremely strong in defence and had a skilful, experienced goalkeeper to rely upon when needed. However they appeared to lack the clinical edge in the advanced positions which meant that most of the first period play occurred in the home team's half of the pitch. Wave after wave of pressure hit the ECV D but TCS frustration was growing as each attack was repelled by the sturdy ECV backline. On 24 minutes a tactical switch saw skipper Andy leave the wing and camp up top for the remainder of the game and the addition of Pete Wintrip on the right side of the pitch - instantly the balance of the team shifted and TCS started threatening with more venom.

The first goal came from a well worked move along the baseline. As the ball fired into the D 'the late' Bill Horner found the deft touch to slide the ball across the goal stranding the keeper and allowing Conor 'why so green?' Neal to tap in for his fifth goal of the season. Soon after Pete Wintrip latched onto the ball at the top of the D and, in a pass that took all defenders out of the game, he smashed the ball to the back post where Bill Horner, sliding like a perfectly thrown curling rock (and losing half of the skin on his knee), stunned the keeper (and frankly everyone else) and expertly tapped the ball into the goal.

Combination play from Wintrip, Daly, Green and Neal led to more pressure for the remainder of the half but despite the cries from our defensive inmate on day release TCS were unable to extend their lead. When the defence and the goalkeeper for TCS were called upon they acquitted themselves extremely well and got the team back on attack quickly.

The half time team talk was driven, determined and reflective with the positives stressed and the need to keep working hard and avoid the attention of the umpire if we wanted to win... wait for it... the yellow card is coming.

The second half began in the same way as the first with all of the early pressure on ECV Hornets but a surprise breakaway and a lack of defensive awareness led to a surprise ECV short corner. After a reshuffle on the line with bossy man Dan telling everyone where to go and what to do (apparently he didn't have much to do so felt that he needed to take charge) the short corner was pushed out and the resulting shot bobbled through the D and into the back of the TCS goal as the skipper on the line decided to let it sail past, the only issue being that the young ECV forward had received the ball a metre inside the D and not taken it out at any point. With some calculated urgency the ball was passed out and TCS were immediately on the attack.

More and more chances were being created by the TCS side but again the ECV defence and especially the goalkeeper were proving why the upturn in form has occurred. Eventually Conor Neal was given the ball on the short corner and with ultimate confidence he shouted where he would send the ball (clearly ECV were not listening) and found Bill Horner on the backline to hammer in his second and TCS's third of the game.

Never one to miss out on the goal scoring action Skipper Carter received the ball from Pete 'statman' Wintrip on the reverse, pulled it across his body and with the keeper sold, on the ground and crawling like a desperate tortoise Carter delicately flicked the ball into the open net. 4 - 0 and TCS were looking strong; usually at this time in a game played in a particular unnamed county the powers in charge have decided to make the game fair by reducing the number of players TCS have on the field however this time it fell to the TCS captain to even the balance as he foolishly questioned the integrity of the fine, upstanding gentleman in the yellow shirt and received a similar coloured card in return plus the opportunity for a five minute sit down on the naughty step.

The dominance continued with ten men and Pete Wintrip showed more creative flair when slipping the ball to DJ Woody who showed Bill Horner that the keeper wasn't as good as Bill was making him look in a typical Woody goal tapping in in the second half from a few yards out sliding the ball under the keeper.

The skipper made it onto the pitch for the final 60 seconds of the game but the action was over and the game finished 0-5 in favour of TCS A for another win in what is becoming a very successful year.

Player rating (thank Dan Adams)

Dan Adams - 5 (two touches - one he missed - half marks)
Alex Bartram - 7 (No mistakes but not enough action for 8, 9, 10)
Steve Grenfell - 5 (8 for his defending, 3 for his work in the attacking D - balanced to 5)
Karl Patrick - 6 (Exactly the same as Steve but the dive was comical)
Evan Tarr - 7 (Very few mistakes, looking more and more astute at the back)
Jamie Everett - 8 (Gaining in confidence in the adult league - another strong performance)
Dan Green - 9 (An outstanding first game for the club - good going forward and strong at the back)
Bill Horner - 8 (Two goals and an assist, too many stunning saves drawn - don't make their keeper look that good)
Conor Neal - 8 ( A goal and an assist and instrumental in the attacking build up - you will be missed)
Jack MB - 7 (Consistent and strong in midfield with good passing play shown - did however miss a sitter)
Pete Wintrip - 9 (Three good assists - instrumental in the attacking build up play)(MOTM)
Jack Daly - 7 (Maximum effort, good skill, a couple of questionable tackles - 8 - thinking the McDonalds girl gave you the eye -1)
Sam Woodland - 8 (Back on the scoresheet - good work in the build up play)
Andy Carter - 4 ( instrumental in the first goal, well taken goal - but you just can't call the umpire biased ... apparently plus there - were some miss controlled stops)